[Bernama] Proposal For 1,000 Foreign Non-Specialised Doctors

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) — The government proposes to hire 1,000 foreign non-specialised doctors to reduce the long waiting-period for outpatients.

“The Cabinet has agreed to this and the details are being worked out,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad in reply to a question by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohd Puad wanted to know about the study on outpatients having to wait more than three hours for treatment whereas the government had given assurance that the waiting-period was within three hours.

Earlier, replying to a question by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) on government efforts to ensure that trainee doctors receive appropriate training and that doctors in government hospitals not work more than 12 hours, Dr Abdul Latiff said the government was aware of the need for appropriate training.

“On the matter of longer hours, it is a requirement but there can be discretion for doctors who work long hours to rest with the permission of the respective head of department,” he said.